Monday, June 17, 2013

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5:7) Worry! We, all, have to deal with it. In order to address the subject of worry, let's define it---What is it? It is allowing one's mind to dwell with difficulties or troubles. In other words, when you are thinking about the problems in life, that is worry. I understand that in this age and time, we live in a challenging world. The job market is uncertain. Sometimes, our children may give us troubles. Other times, it may be a doctor's report. Circumstances in life can cause us to lose our joy and fall into despair, but here God is offering us a way out. Let's look at some interesting highlights of I Peter 5:7. What is the meaning behind the word casting? Casting means to throw. It is the same as a fisherman throwing the net over the sea to catch fishes. Another definition is to put on. Like putting something on a table or on a shelf. The word care means worries and anxieties. Let's be real, all of us, have in one way or another given place to worry. You would not be human if you did not worry. God's word for today is to throw or place your worries on him. When a fisherman throws a net to the sea, sooner or later, he will reap the rewards of his labor. The word says to labor to enter into his rest.(Heb 4:11) Why is it a labor? Because to address or take out the thoughts of worry, it is work. You have to bring down those thoughts. Bind those thoughts and loose the mind of Christ! (Matt 18:18) You have to start taking the thoughts of Christ! Just as a fisherman labors long hours to get that net just right to catch his reward, we need to spend our time renewing our minds. It is interesting that God's word tells us that we have THE MIND OF CHRIST. Think about what an awesome statement that is---You have the MIND OF CHRIST(If you are saved!) Christ means the anointing that destroys yokes and lifts up burdens. It has been said that the mind is a terrible thing to waste. It is, also, sad that the average human being uses just less than 10% of their minds. Imagine what the mind of Christ can do for you? You ought to be shouting and praising God! It provides you with the answers you need, but why aren't we operating in that mindset? Because we are not letting his mind be in us! We are too full of fear and worry! (Phil 2:5) When you are full of worry and anxieties, you are operating in a spirit of pride. Take some time to read and meditate on I Peter 5:5-7. It talks about humility and grace. We, all need, grace! When you take upon yourself the worries and anxieties of life, you are telling God---I got it! No. Throw it upon the Lord. Forget about it! Don't worry, be happy! God's word is so powerful that it can change things. When we meditate on the answer instead of the problems. When we speak God's word to the circumstances, the circumstances will have to bow down and conform to God's word. Just because something is a fact does not mean it is true. God's word, which is truth, can change your circumstances. Abraham did it and it revolutionize his life. His obedience and trust in the Lord created a nation. What can you do with God's word? Meditate on God's word and find out what he has in store for you!

Friday, June 7, 2013

" And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36) What comes to mind when you hear the word--Lamb of God? Is it just a phrase or a deep meaning that hits close to the heart. We, all, know that Jesus is the lamb of God, but what is implied behind those words? Let's look at some highlights of Exodus 12:1-10----

A lamb was chosen out of the flock. It had to be without defects or blemish. It, also, had to be a firstborn. (Exo 12:5)

It was to be set aside for a couple of days and be put under observation.(Exo 12:3-6)

It had to be shared with others. (Exo 12:4)

It had to be roasted in fire. (Exo 12:8)

No leftovers. You had to eat the whole lamb. Whatever was left was burned in the fire. (Exo 12:8-10)

LAMB CHOSEN OUT OF THE FLOCK---Jesus was called the second and last Adam (I Cor 15:45). He was without defect or blemish. He had never sinned and is called the firstborn of the church and assembly of God. Why? Because he started the church. He, also, was the first man to enter heaven.

PUT UNDER OBSERVATION---When you hear the words--"Behold, the lamb of God", it implies to stare. When you stare at something, you see some details of that object. Some may be good and some bad, but with Jesus, all that you see in him is good. We need to stop and meditate on what things he has given to us.

SHARED WITH OTHERS---When you read Exo 12:4, it says if the household is too small, invite your neighbor over for dinner. God is more than enough. His salvation and his benefits is too much for us to keep it for ourselves. We need to share his gifts and blessings with others. A lost and hurting world wants answers. Jesus can provide what they need!

ROASTED WITH FIRE-----The lamb had to be cooked and well done. Jesus said that he would spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth.(Matt 12:40) You may reason--It means that Jesus was buried and would raise again. When we think of buried, we think of being below the earth in our western thinking.

The Bible says that he was buried in a cave, not under the earth. This implies, something, deeper. Friends, did you know that the deeper you dig in the earth, the hotter it becomes----It is a scientific fact! Years ago, some Russian scientists wanted to do some research and dig below the earth, now mind you, this was around the '60's when atheism was running high. What they found was, not, only that it got hotter but their equipment went haywire. They saw some spirits that began to manifest themselves along with the noises of people in agony.

Needless to say, their thinking was changed and now they are saved.(A link to that story is provided below.) Friends, what Jesus was saying was that he would suffer the torments of the fires of hell and then rise up again--Hallelujah! Jesus did not finish his sacrifice on the cross, he finished it in hell. When Jesus said at the cross---It is finished! He was claiming victory and speaking of those things that are not as though they were!

NO LEFTOVERS---They had to eat the whole lamb. The eyes, the stomach, the livers, the ears, etc. You may feel repulsed, but get ready to put on your dancing shoes and give a shout to God. When they ate the following items, they got healed--

'

The eyes---The blind received their sight.

The ears-- The deaf can hear

The stomach--Diabetics are healed

The liver---Liver disease being healed and so on...

PS 105:37 says that there was not a feeble one among them. Feeble in the Hebrew means sick. So, as they ate the lamb and obeyed God, they got healed. I like the Cecil DeMille's movie,The Ten Commandments, done in 1956. It was well-made for that time, but one thing that I saw was that some scenes were not in line with the word.

On one scene, when the Jews came out of Egypt, you see them in rags and some on crutches. It was a different scene as far as God's word was concerned. God had a different perspective ---They were healed and came out with silver and gold! This is far better than Cecil DeMille's version! When we got out of Egypt, which symbolizes the world, we have all we need in Jesus. So, think on these things as you hear the word----Behold the lamb of God! God bless!